Pivotable tree stand

ABSTRACT

A support stand for Christmas trees or the like which permits convenient rotation of the tree relative to the stand in order to present various portions of the tree to view and for accessibility when applying ornaments thereto. Axiallytelescoping sleeves are provided which permit selecting the sleeve which suits the diameter of the tree trunk. A bevelled upper cutting edge is provided on the sleeves to permit the latter to be driven upon the trunk.

United tetes Patent Bencriscutto 1 Mar. 14, 1972 [54] PKVOTABLE TREE STAND FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Inventor: Michael Bencrisculto, 3525 Wright 883,011 11/1961 Great Britain ..24s/44 Avenue, Racine, Wis. 53405 [22] Filed: May 18, 1970 Primary Examinerwilliam H. Schultz [21] Appl- No; 38,407 Attorney-Axel H. Johnson [57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl ..248/45 [51] int. Cl ..A47g 33/12 A pp Stand for Christmas trees the like which Permits [58 1 Field 01 Search ..248/44, 45, 46, 47, 48; convenient rotation of the relative to the Stand in Order to 52/297, 298, 704; 16/ 108; 109 present various portions of the tree to view and for accessibility when applying ornaments thereto. Axially-telescoping References Clted sleeves are provided which permit selecting the sleeve which UNITED STATES PATENTS suits the diameter of the tree trunk. A bevelled upper cutting edge is provided on the sleeves to permit the latter to be 2,587,788 3/1952 Tary ..248/45 driven upon the trunk. 3,017,150 l/l962 Kahle ..248/45 2,292,505 8/1942 Black ..248/44 1 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PIVOTABLE TREE STAND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a support stand for Christmas trees and the like, that permits rotation of the tree in order to present different portions of the latter to view.

2. Description ofthe Prior Art The known prior art comprises the patents listed below: Garlick, U.S. Pat, No. 1,694,815, Lindsell, U.S. Pat. No. 2,605,067, Santoro, U.S. Pat. No. 2,681,780, Curtiss, U.S. Pat. No. 2,755,049, Lindsell, U.S. Pat. No. 2,763,454, and Schwaderlapp, U.S. Pat. No. 3,250,504.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention comprises a stand having an upwardly-extending tubular body provided with a transverse portion at the bottom thereof. A plurality of telescopically-related sleeves are assembled within the tubular body which define a common axis with the body. The largest sleeve, which is in rotative engagement with the bore of the cylindrical body, is provided with a transverse portion and defining a bottom. A ball or sphere of metal or glass is axially positioned between the above mentioned transverse portions in order to provide frictionfree support for rotation of the largest sleeve with respect to the cylindrical body. The successive smaller sleeves are optionally provided with a bottom transverse portion if desired, and each sleeve is free to rotate with respect to the other sleeves. Each of the sleeves terminate at the upper end thereof in a peripherally-bevelled edge which serves as a cutting edge when the sleeve is being forced over the trunk of a tree; the sleeve selected being ofa size to suit the trunk of the tree. The trunk with the sleeve thereon is then inserted in the next largest sleeve in the tubular body of the stand.

An object of the invention is to provide a tree stand that will permit rotation of the tree relative to the stand.

Another object is to provide a stand with means to accomodate various sizes of tree trunks.

Another object is to provide a tree stand having means to size" the trunk preparatory to mounting in the stand.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein an embodiment of the invention is shown. It is, however, to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the details disclosed, but includes all such variations as fall within the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a preferred form of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view taken at 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken at 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a section taken at 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a vertical section similar to that of FIG. 3, and showing a tree having a large trunk mounted in the stand.

FIG. 6 is a section showing a modification of the sleeve details of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 shows the manner in which a sleeve is driven over a tree trunk.

The preferred form of this invention comprises a tubular body 10, preferably of metal and integral with a support stand 12 of metal. Support stand 12 comprises a rim 14 having a transverse portion 13. Body 10 is secured in rim 14 by welding or other means as shown at 16. Support 12 comprises a base ring 18 and radial legs 20 integral with rim l4. Levelling screws 22 may be provided if desired in base ring 18.

A plurality of cylindrical sleeves such as 24, 26 and 28 are provided and which telescope relative to each other; sleeve 24 being a sliding fit within body 10, sleeve 26 slides within sleeve 24 and sleeve 28 slides within sleeve 26. More sleeves can be provided to accomodate smaller tree trunks. Bottom portions 30, 32 and 34 are secured within the bores of sleeves 24, 26 and 28 respectively, as by welding. The lower ends of sleeves 24, 26 and 28 are outwardly chamfered as at 36, in order to prevent mutilation when the sleeve is being forced upon a trunk of a tree. A vent hole such as 38 is provided in sleeves 24, 26 and 28 to permit air to escape when the sleeve is being force upon a trunk. A hole 40 is also provided in body 10 for a vent. The upper ends of sleeves 24, 26 and 28 are bevelled as at 42, 44 and 46 respectively, to provide a cutting edge; the function of which is to shear bark and excessive wood from the trunk when the appropriate sleeve is being forced thereon.

In order to reduce friction induced by the weight of the tree when rotating the latter relative to the stand, a steel ball or sphere of suitable material, such as a marble is positioned at the axis of the body 10 between the transverse portion 13 and the lower surface of bottom portion 30. Axial depression may be provided in socket or rim 14 and bottom portion 30 to provide seats to retain ball 48 at the axial position.

A modification of sleeves 26 and 28 may be preferred and which omits the bottom portions 32 and 34 as shown in FIG. 6. In that instance no vent holes 38 need be provided.

When preparing to mount a tree in this stand, a sleeve is selected which can be conveniently driven or forced axially on the trunk 50. The sleeve should be of a bore diameter so that it will shave the bark and some of the wood from the trunk as it is being forced on the latter, as indicated at 52 of FIG. 7. When the sleeve is being forced on the trunk, a piece of wood is placed against the bottom of the sleeve and struck with a hammer until the sleeve has been driven upon the trunk a sufficient distance. The sleeve with the tree therein is then inserted into the next largest sleeve. If the trunk is of a diameter to require a larger sleeve, those of a smaller diameter are omitted as shown in FIG. 5: In that instance, sleeves 26 and 28 are omitted, and larger sleeve 24 retained and into which the trunk is forced.

The above being a complete description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

I. A tree supporting stand for an ornamental tree having a trunk, said stand comprising a support, an upwardly extending tubular body integral with said support and having an axis and a first transverse portion defining a bottom for said body, a first sleeve telescopically inserted in said body and free to rotate therein, said sleeve having a second transverse portion integral with the bottom of said first sleeve, friction reducing means intermediate said first and second transverse portions, a plurality of telescopically related, mutually rotatable sleeves within said first sleeve and coaxial therewith, said sleeves terminating at the upper extremities thereof in peripheral bevelled edges converging toward said axis and defining cutting edges. 

1. A tree supporting stand for an ornamental tree having a trunk, said stand comprising a support, an upwardly-extending tubular body integral with said support and having an axis and a first transverse portion defining a bottom for said body, a first sleeve telescopically inserted in said body and free to rotate therein, said sleeve having a second transverse portion integral with the bottom of said first sleeve, friction reducing means intermediate said first and second transverse portions, a plurality of telescopically related, mutually rotatable sleeves within said first sleeve and coaxial therewith, said sleeves terminating at the upper extremities thereof in peripheral bevelled edges converging toward said axis and defining cutting edges. 